Vehicle Description
Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale August 17th - 19th, 2017 at
Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Monterey, California Auction. Please
contact us for more information. In September 1961, American
automotive designer and racer Carroll Shelby approached AC asking
if they would build a car for him that was modified to accept a V8
engine. AC agreed, provided a suitable engine could be found.
Shelby went to Chevrolet to see if they would provide engines, but
not wanting to add competition to the Corvette they declined.
However, Ford wanted a car that could compete with the Corvette and
they happened to have a brand-new engine which could be used in
this endeavor: the Windsor 221 cubic inch engine - a new
lightweight, thin-wall cast small-block V8. Ford provided Shelby
with the engines and AC exported completed, painted, and trimmed
aluminum bodied cars to Shelby. He then finished the cars in his
workshop in Los Angeles by installing the engine and gearbox and
correcting any bodywork flaws caused by the car's passage by sea.
In the first year of production 75 of the AC-bodied Shelbys were
produced at a list price of $5995. The next 51 Mk1 models were
fitted with a larger version of the Windsor Ford engine, the 289
cubic-inch V8. A total of 580 289 Cobras were produced between 1962
and 1965. In late 1962 Alan Turner, AC's chief engineer completed a
major design change of the car's front end to accommodate rack and
pinion steering while still using transverse leaf spring
suspension. The new car entered production in early 1963 and was
designated Mark II. The steering rack was borrowed from the MGB
while the new steering column came from the VW Beetle. The
consignor has owned this 1965 Shelby 289 MK II since 1975 and
states that the car was used as a factory demonstrator. The car
received a total restoration by McCluskey Ltd. in 2012-2014 that
included a complete new skin. It was a complete body off
restoration with all mechanicals rebuilt or replaced. All the
electrical components were redone and it received a new dash and
upholstery. It was delivered in Princess Blue with red interior and
repainted in a correct shade of white. A five-speed transmission
was added for touring but the original re-built aluminum Borg
Warner T-10 transmission and linkage are available. The engine has
been replaced with a 6-bolt block but the Hipo Heads, manifold and
"Wedge" bell housing has been retained. The original
heater/defroster and an optional Paxton super charger with mounts
and small air box are also available along with the top bows and
frame. This Shelby Cobra has been properly maintained and driven
regularly. It has been presented at numerous SCCA shows and events
and is always well received.
